UNREAL CHAMPIONSHIP 2: THE LIANDRI CONFLICT
Platform: Xbox
Backward-Compatible: Yes
Price: $10 used

Bummed that Unreal Tournament III won’t reach 360 until next year? Us too. But the silver lining of this situation is that it gives you a chance to rediscover Unreal Championship 2.

In keeping with the franchise’s roots, UC2 focuses heavily on online multiplayer and offl ine bot matches, offering a vast array of weapons, arenas, and characters (including Mortal Kombat’s Raiden in a special appearance) in deathmatch and capture-thefl ag matches. There’s also a story-driven singleplayer mode and an innovative melee combat system that nicely complements the game’s traditional FPS core. With one button-press, you stow the pistols and rocket launchers, instantly switch to a third-person perspective, grab twin swords or a double-bladed energy staff, and leap across the arena, Matrix-style. It’s intense and seamless…and something we haven’t seen many other FPS stalwarts even attempt.

Sure, UC2 may not be the next-gen experience you were hoping to get this year, but it still manages to deliver a healthy dose of ass-kicking, on- or offl ine — especially at a $10 price for a used copy.